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eclipse

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The definition of an eclipse is an obscuring of light, particularly of the sun or moon or a loss of greatness.

(noun)

An example of eclipse is when the sun becomes blocked out for a few moments during the day.
An example of eclipse is a demotion from a high job position.

Eclipse is defined as to obscure the light of something or to make less important.

(verb)

An example of eclipse is to block out the light of the sun.
An example of eclipse is for one athlete to outshine another.

See eclipse in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the partial or total obscuring of one celestial body by another, esp. of the sun when the moon comes between it and the earth (called ), or of the moon when the earth's shadow is cast upon it (called )
any overshadowing or cutting off of light
a dimming or extinction, as of fame or glory

Origin: ME < OFr < L eclipsis < Gr ekleipsis, an abandoning, eclipse < ekleipein, to leave out, fail < ek-, out + leipein, to leave < IE base *leikw-, to leave > loan, L linquere

transitive verb eclipsed, eclipsing

to cause an eclipse of; darken or obscure
to make seem less brilliant, famous, etc. by being even more so; overshadow; outshine; surpass

Origin: ME eclipsen

See eclipse in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. The partial or complete obscuring, relative to a designated observer, of one celestial body by another.
b. The period of time during which such an obscuration occurs.
A temporary or permanent dimming or cutting off of light.
a. A fall into obscurity or disuse; a decline: “A composer . . . often goes into eclipse after his death and never regains popularity” (Time).
b. A disgraceful or humiliating end; a downfall: Revelations of wrongdoing helped bring about the eclipse of the governor's career.

transitive verb e·clipsed, e·clips·ing, e·clips·es

a. To cause an eclipse of.
b. To obscure; darken.
a. To obscure or diminish in importance, fame, or reputation.
b. To surpass; outshine: an outstanding performance that eclipsed the previous record.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin eclīpsis

Origin: , from Greek ekleipsis

Origin: , from ekleipein, to fail to appear, suffer an eclipse

Origin: : ek-, out; see ecto-

Origin: + leipein, to leave; see leik^w- in Indo-European roots

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